Author: EDWARD FOTHERINGILL

Author: Edward Fotheringill

Published books by the Author: Lanterns in the Mist

Books in Process: Darkness Withdrawn or The Eclipse of Nietzsche’s Shadow

Welcome, Ed.

Interview:

1. When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing about nine years ago, just for the fun of it. I had an idea for a short story. After twelve pages or so, I liked where it was going and decided to continue on. I worked on the manuscript, sporadically, for about seven years. Then, I got more serious and finished it up.

What drove me to write was simple: I felt like I had something to say. As a philosophy professor for nearly 24 years, I had thought through every philosophical problem imaginable. What I wanted to do was make these sometimes difficult philosophical issues accessible to readers of fiction. I wanted to work through philosophical problems using fictional characters in their day-to-day lives. My hope was to write something that would carry some measure of truth and, at the same time, be interesting and provocative.

2. What inspired you to write your first book?
As I mentioned earlier, I began writing just for the fun of it. I never had any intention of publishing anything. But as my story developed, and my characters came alive, I began to take the writing more seriously. I really enjoy creating interesting characters and seeing what kinds of bizarre situations I can get them in and out of.

3. How did you approach writing your first book?
Looking back on it, my writing technique seems somewhat strange -- at least to me. I had a very general idea for an initial scene, wrote it out, and then I just let the characters take over. I had no plan at all about where the story line was going. The only intention I had from the beginning was to make my characters grotesque, in the sense of being strange and quirky and hopefully memorable. I can honestly say the book wrote itself.

4. Who or what influenced your writing?
In recent years, I have become enthralled with four novelists: Graham Greene, Walker Percy, John Gardner, and Cormac McCarthy. These are the writers that speak to me. Looking back on my novel, I can see the influence of all of them. But, descriptively, I would have to say my novel reads like Walker Percy meets Cormac McCarthy.

5. Why do you continue to write?
What can I say? I’m into creativity, and I like working by myself. Writing fits the bill. On a more serious note, I find the life we lead and the world we find ourselves in to be very strange and indecipherable. Joy mixes with suffering in inscrutable ways, and there often seems to be no rhyme or reason to any of it. When I write, I like to explore the possibilities of different ways of living through my characters. I’m hoping to stimulate my audience to think about these possibilities, and maybe even act on them.

6. What do you hope to accomplish through your writing?
First, I want to write an interesting story. Something with unexpected twists and turns. Second, I want to deliver some philosophical message that will stimulate the reader to ponder the meaning of his or her own life. Finally, I want the writing to be lyrical. I try to create scenes and characters and dialogue with combinations of words that are pleasant to the ear.

7. What has been your experience as a published writer?
So far, it has been a pleasant one. Responses to my book have been largely positive. And the local bookstores have, for the most part, been receptive to book signings.

8. How do you promote your book?
The first thing I did was send a copy to you, Kaye. You were the first person in the book industry to read it. I’m extremely grateful to you for your kind words. I will be sending the book off to other reviewers, as well.

On the local front, I’ve approached some of the large chain bookstores (Borders, Barnes and Nobles, etc.) and some independent shops as well. So far, I’ve been received warmly – and have been offered the opportunity for a few book signings.
I’m also planning to contact a local literary club to see if they may have some interest in exploring what I’ve written.

And, of course, word of mouth.

9. What advice would you like to share with other writers?
Oh, nothing special. I think if a writer really has something to say, he or she will find a way of getting it out there.

10. Any other comments you would like to add?
No, I think I’m finished pontificating.

Thank you, Ed, for sharing your time and experience with us.

Interview by Kaye Trout - April 28, 2006 - Copyright

Author: DOUGH MURPHY

Author: Doug Murphy

Published books by the Author: The Griffon Trilogy: Part I (with Andrea Murphy) and Translator’s Kiss

Books in Process: The Griffon Trilogy: Parts II and III and Sexsomnia (book about parasomnias-note the recent news with respect to ambien on this subject- with Dr. Carlos Schenck and Andrea Murphy)

Welcome Doug,

Interview:

1. When and why did you begin writing?
I have wanted to write since my teen years because it is just something I liked to do. I liked playing with my imagination and telling stories in print and thought that perhaps I had a bit of the Irish storyteller in me. Nonfiction writing appeals to me as well.

2. What inspired you to write your first book?
My first book was partially written during college, and I actually threw it away because I thought it was too fantastic. The first book to be finished, however, was written through a desire to expose some dangers of the new biomedical technology and out of a love for books that were thrillers and mysteries.

3. How did you approach writing your first book?
I was told that all good writers start by writing an outline and by filling out the characters. For my books after the outline was done I hand wrote them and then typed them into my computer. I printed out a copy, read through and made notes and then typed in the changes. I repeated that process many times until I thought I had a finished product. Often though when I thought it was finished, it was not.

4. Who or what influenced your writing?
I like to study the successful techniques of other writers and even films and search through books trying to accomplish similar things. I am still searching for ways to bring a greater richness to the story and the characters. The more you write the more you know how to look.

5. Why do you continue to write?
I’m hooked. It is quite an exciting thing to do. I am continuously thinking of projects and ideas I would love to do.

6. What do you hope to accomplish through your writing?
On the one hand I would like to entertain the reader so that he or she is thoroughly engrossed in the story or information. I would like to create a world they can walk into and see the characters and surroundings and events and be thoroughly fascinated. On the other hand I like to, at times, layer in ideas and information to make readers think in novel ways.

7. What has been your experience as a published writer?
Some of the rewards have been completely unanticipated. It is a lot of fun to connect up with people that normally you would never encounter and have them react to things you have written.

8. How do you promote your book(s)?
Methods that I have used so far have included book signing parties, postcards (hundreds of them), classified ads, pay per click ads and word of mouth. Strangely enough the postcards have been the strongest method so far for me after the first rush of interest from friends and relatives.

9. What advice would you like to share with other writers?
I think the hardest thing is not to get discouraged since there is a lot to get through to get your book into print and then to promote it and have some measure of success. So perseverance is certainly important. I also think that for the most part authors should not rush to get their works out but polish them to the greatest extent possible before taking the next step. Usually when I think my book is done, it requires several more reedits.

Thanks for your time, Doug, and for sharing your experience with us.

Interviewer: Kaye Trout - April 17, 2006 - Copyright

Author: JONATHAN FOSTER

Author: Jonathan Foster

Author’s website address: http://autobiography-of-a-narcissist.blogspot.com/

Published books by the Author: The Autobiography of a Narcissist

Books in Process: Untitled Period Piece

Welcome Jonathan,

Interview:

1. When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing during my senior year as an undergrad. I was curious and had a teacher who said, "If you want to see if you’re a writer, lock yourself in a room for three days and write non-stop, eight hours a day." So I did that and here I am 20 years later. "Why" is a tougher answer. It’s either that I thought that writing would commit me to knowing myself while satisfying my urge to make meaning from life, or I thought it would sound pretty neat at cocktail parties. Likely, both.

2. What inspired you to write your first book?
For years, I had written for theater and film and became frustrated by how dependent those disciplines are on the approving nod of another. Particularly with screenwriting. You can’t make a movie without loads of money or the adoration, however slight, of someone who has access to it. Having had my work in every stage from fast-track development to sold-and-awaiting-a-greenlight – and seeing only one make it to the screen - is both professionally and creatively frustrating. I have likened it to an architect who draws up his ideas in blueprints but never has a building built. Blueprints intend buildings.

Writing a book meant that I could come to the end of a writing project and hand it to someone as the piece that it is intended to be: a book. POD technology makes this even more viable. Above all, I had an idea for a fictional autobiography, a character and his story that amused me enough to believe it could sustain my creative interest for the time it took to write it. This is not always the case.

3. How did you approach writing your first book?
Every morning at 5AM, slowly and with much insecurity. I didn’t become a writer to write novels, so it was a tough first step to take, especially after years and years of becoming very intimate with my shortcomings as a writer. But now, I’d say I’m walking. Slowly and reaching out for the hand rails.

4. Who or what influenced your writing?
David Mamet for structure; Milan Kundera for freedom; friendships for encouragement.

5. Why do you continue to write?
That’s a another tough one because it feels dangerous to consider. It’s either that I continue to believe it will commit me to knowing myself while satisfying my urge to make meaning from life, or I still think it sounds pretty neat at cocktail parties.

6. What do you hope to accomplish through your writing?
Wisdom.

7. What has been your experience as a published writer?
Positive, so far, though I haven’t really had any real experience at it yet. I’ll check in with you on this a ways down the road.

8. How do you promote your book(s)?
I sent out a mass email, created a blog and submitted to contests and reviewers. I’ve also been investigating email-based and newsgroup discussions that would be interested in The Autobiography of a Narcissist. Suggestions in this would be greatly appreciated and rewarded with kind words.

9. What advice would you like to share with other writers?
This question makes me feel awkward because I don’t feel I'm not qualified to give generalized advice to any writer, other than write, and what writer doesn't do that?

10. Any other comments you would like to add?
Thank you, Kaye!

Thank you, Jonathan, for sharing your thoughts and time with us.

Interviewer: Kaye Trout - April 15, 2006 - Copyright

Author: BRUCE BRADLEY

Author: Bruce Bradley

Author's website address: http://outskirtspress.com/thelastjaguar

Published books by the Author: "Hugh Glass" and "The Last Jaguar"

Books in Process: "Drelliks" (out in 2007) and "The Seeds Of Darkness" (out in 2008) Paranormal Thrillers--both being published by Zumaya Publishing

Welcome Bruce, I enjoyed your last book, The Last Jaguar.

Interview:

1. When and why did you begin writing?
When I was nine years old. We were living in an unfinished house, thirty-five miles outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. We had no running water, no telephone and no TV reception. Often, the temperature would drop to -65 degrees and stay there for weeks at a stretch. Reading became my only escape and I decided that a writer I would become.

2. What inspired you to write your first book?
The goal of actually finishing a book that I had begun writing. I had started writing several, but had never finished one. I was beginning to worry that I never would, which would have made quite a few decisions I'd made in my life a waste. I didn't expect it to be good enough to sell, and it didn't.

3. How did you approach writing your first book?
I was working swingshift at Inglenook Winery, which left my mornings free to write. I'd just get out of bed and sit down and write, longhand. As long as I managed an hour or two per day I was a happy guy.

4. Who or what influenced your writing?
As a youth, Jack London, Earnest Hemingway, Bram Stoker, as an adult, the early works of Stephen King, Robert B. Parker and Louis L'Amour. I'd read perhaps two dozen Louis L'Amour novels, when I stumbled onto "Hondo". I couldn't believe the writing--pure art. I kept rereading passages from it, fascinated by the way he was able to put his words together. I was certain that it had to be his first book. As it turns out, I was right.

5. Why do you continue to write?
It's like a runner's high. Years ago, when I came to the realization that too much responsibility equaled too little writing, I gave up my position as winemaker. My friend, Bill Harrison (who became the model for Tom Allison in "The Last Jaguar") approached me. "You…don't want to be a winemaker?" he asked me, finding it hard to believe. This was my answer to him: "Bill, when I get to choose the vineyards, walk them and do the lab work, decide when to pick and when to press, what yeast to use--and make all the decisions until that wine goes into the bottle--I get a small, creative surge. It's like, 'yeah, I did that!' I get that same creative surge each morning that I sit down to write. There's no contest."

6. What do you hope to accomplish through your writing?
A small, creative surge…. Seriously, I'd like to think I did something positive with my life, that I set out to do something and accomplished it, even if it did take me forty years to do it. I'd also like to feel that I've given of value back to the world. I know how reading a good book makes me feel. If I can manage to give that feeling to others, then I think I've accomplished something good.

7. What has been your experience as a published writer?
That it's a lot more work than being an unpublished writer. I've learned the hard way that, if you don't promote your books, no one will. Only so many people get to be a Stephen King, and I doubt that even he gets to sit back and rest on his laurels.

8. How do you promote your book(s)?
Book signings, author readings, radio interviews--any way that I can. When "Hugh Glass" came out I did one book signing, which was overwhelmingly successful. After that I thought the book would take off on its own merit. After all, it received great reviews…I didn't realize that was just the starting point. You have to keep going out there until people get curious and start to buy…hopefully.

9. What advice would you like to share with other writers?
Don't give up. Write every day, and learn not to shun the limelight. Writing is an internal thing. Many writers, myself included, tend toward shyness. Get over it (that's what I tell myself). Writing is more competitive now than at any other time. Even worse, more and more now, the big bookstores are dictating who and what gets published. They want a "sure-thing" every time. Books by celebrities have become huge. Why? Because the bookstores know they'll sell. That's who we have to compete with these days. We all put out the best writing that we can produce. It's a shame, but that isn't enough anymore.

10. Any other comments you would like to add?
No, I'll get off my soap box now. Thanks for letting me expound….

I agree about the 'celebrities', but I believe the popularity and recognition of POD published books will grow as the alternative to this problem. Thank you for your time, Bruce, and for your inspiration.

Interviewer: Kaye Trout - April 4, 2006 - Copyright

Author: KEITH HUGHAN

Author: Keith Hughan

Author’s website address: www.ladcrooks.com

Published books by the Author: Straight from the Horse's Mouth

Books in Process: None at present

Welcome Keith,

Interview:

I must add, this was written on a Sunday morning after a night out. (Smiling away here!)

1. When and why did you begin writing?

I began writing in 2003. Ladbrokes, the bookmakers had contacted me.
They instructed me to write a book, showing how they disrupt people’s
lives, and how rules can be changed when it suits them.
How could I turn that down?

2. What inspired you to write your first book?

I wouldn’t say what, but who inspired! (Grinning) – Ladbrokes, and I thank them!

3. How did you approach writing your first book?

The outline of my book was buried in my head, start, middle and the end. I wish it was that easy! A list of events were put to paper first, I then put them in order to the dates they happened. Being that my book was nonfiction made it simpler. The hard part, well, was putting it all together so it flowed.

4. Who or what influenced your writing?

I can’t really say that any author did. When friends started reading what I had already written, and while they were chuckling, I thought, carry on writing as myself, the common man with no experience in using the English literature, to its full capacity. I may have written a book, but does that mean I am an accomplished writer? Friends, spell checker and the dictionary were the tools I used.

5. Why do you continue to write?

I have not written since, time and energy is needed in order to write. I must say though, the temptation is there. I have been told by many that I should write another book, and in the same style. It seems my common way of writing with humor injected into the menu could be my forte.

6. What do you hope to accomplish through your writing?

That’s easy to answer - £260,000 from Ladbrokes.

7. What has been your experience as a published writer?

Well I can tell you, fame and fortune does not come easy. Some fame to my name is rewarding, as for the fortune, I don’t think it will ever come, ha! The point in writing that book was to put a dent in Ladbrokes armour. Oh! I mustn’t forget the ladies seem to like it!

8. How do you promote your book(s)?

I got in touch with a local paper, and thankfully they ran a story. I also made up a website, this has definitely helped. The world is big and the www’s can reach anywhere! I also sent flyers all over the country to Ladbrokes shops, and still do. Spiteful, I know!

9. What advice would you like to share with other writers?

First of all, never give up. When you have the urge to write, then write. Never work on your book half heartedly, you will find yourself going over them chapters again and again.
Let as many people read it as you can before deciding to print it. Ask them for an honest opinion. Feedback is what I would call the most valuable tool to have!

10. Any other comments you would like to add?

I have to say here that the first edition of this book was printed at a cost to me. I had 500 printed and went from there. I didn’t even have an ISBN number. Bad move, because what was sold did not get registered, and we all like numbers when it comes to how many we have sold!

Thanks, Keith, for you time and good luck!

Interviewer: Kaye Trout - April 3, 2006 - Copyright

Author: FELIX PALMER

Author: Felix Palmer

Authors website address: www.authorsonline.co.uk

Published Books: Fish out of Water

Books in process: second novel almost finished, as yet without a title

Author's background: He has studied mathematics and natural sciences in England, received a BA in Literature and a MA in Philosophy in the United States. He is currently studying English Literature and Classics at the University of Berlin, Germany.


Welcome Felix,

Interview:

1. When and why did you begin writing?

This may sound silly, but I began to write in second grade. I had a good teacher, whom I looked up to and tried to please. She was a tall dark-haired young woman in her late twenties. I used to scribble what I imagined to be poetry, doing my best to make the couplets rhyme. She used to read and correct them, assuring me that she liked them, always telling me to write more. I believe that writing, besides being a spiritual endeavor, is also a mechanical act. So I can say that the mechanical part was there at the age of eight, only the spirit was absent. It was then that I first began to think about God. As an eight years old boy I could not reconcile the pain and suffering with the idea of a benign, omniscient and omnipotent God. I seriously began to think about God at the age of eight, keeping my thoughts to myself, while going through the mechanics of writing instinctively.

2. What inspired you to write your first book?

I have been writing fragments and throwing them away since my late teens. Then something happened to me when I was a sophomore at college. Ever since that event I have been writing regularly in my journals. The earliest record goes back to 1979. The idea of the first novel came to me while walking with a friend of mine who is a struggling writer. It was a fine afternoon in a small university town in southern Germany. We had gone for a walk through the woods and had stopped to have a beer. I suddenly uttered a thought loud enough so that he could hear it. "Why don't you start your first novel by writing this sentence down?" he asked me. I am not a real writer. I cannot get beyond fragments," I said. "You are a writer. You are just too lazy. You prefer to dream about writing, because it is so much easier to dream than working hard. Writing is hard work. But you shall start and finish your first novel some day."

That is how it started. I felt I was getting older. It was time to take something seriously.

3. How did you approach writing your first book?

I followed my friend's advice and wrote the first sentence, just the way I had uttered it that fine summer afternoon in Germany. Originally I wanted to write a short novel, about hundred pages, a happy story full of delightful scenes and dialogues. But soon I experienced my first block. It really was a challenge. I have not known a single writer capable of writing about pure happiness, except Plato. In order to overcome my block I started to leaf through my journals, looking for a way out. Re-reading my journals really helped, but I had to change my plans. It was as if a demon had taken full possession of me, asserting himself; another voice began to dictate, making me write.

4. Who or what influenced your writing?

My teachers are the Russian and Spanish giants. I believe that the novel as a literary genre reached its apex in the nineteenth century. Among the Victorians George Gissing is the greatest, in my opinion. Thomas Hardy has a sense for the tragic, but his plots are often incredible. I believe that Kafka is a must for all aspiring writers, because he has reached the very limits of literature. It is good, even necessary, for an aspiring writer to read the giants and despair. My first and foremost teacher was John Gardner, who died in a motorcycle accident in 1982.

5. Why do you continue to write?

Writing is an escape for me. I am a religious person without a religion, an atheist who seeks God but cannot believe in Him. Writing, I believe, is a religious ritual, an attempt to reach God, but the experiment is destined to fail. That is why every writer strives to publish eventually, although he/she may postpone the exposition indefinitely. If not the Deity, then at least the public, the invisible reader out there and in the future.

6. What do you hope to accomplish through your writing?

This is a difficult question for me to answer. I do not write for publication because of vanity. I can only say that I hope to reach out to the future personified as the unknown reader.

7. What has been your experience as a published writer?

A very difficult one! It is a vicious circle; most large publishing houses will not even look at your manuscript if it is not submitted by an agent, and again, most agents won't even bother to look at your manuscript if you are not an established writer. Like every other profession, there are good, well educated and competent editors and agents, but the number of predators and literary parasites are far greater. My impression is that most editors and agents are like conventional politicians, assuming that the public is stupid, interested only in superficial trash in large quantity. Thus they actually contribute to the demise of literature.

8. How do you promote your books?

I read the reviews displayed in Amazon websites, look for reviewers' comments on books similar to mine, read their background information, and then write them an email inviting them to have a look at my work. Most responses are friendly and encouraging. I do not let the occasional negative reply, or even the rare insult, discourage me.

9. What advice would you like to share with other writers?

Do not be discouraged! Do not take yourself and your work too seriously!


Thank you, Felix, for your time and sharing some of your thoughts with us.

Interviewer: Kaye Trout - April 3, 2006 - Copyright

Author: DR. MICHAEL SHOCKET

Author: Dr. Michael Shocket

Author’s website address: Michael.Shocket@btopenworld.com

Published books by the Author: Complete French Course, published by Cambridge University press; Reflections - a book of poetry published in Israel by Eked; Know Me Tomorrow, published by United Press; The Binding of Isaac, published by Authors Online.

Books in Process: Knock Knock Who's There?


Welcome Dr. Shocket,

Interview:

1. When and why did you begin writing?
At the age of twelve, following a strong urge to express my feelings--at the time privately.

2. What inspired you to write your first book?
-Text books - sheer poverty!
-Poetry - a need to explore and express my deepest feelings.
-Know me Tomorrow - as a form of therapy while housebound and caring for my invalid wife, and a tribute to my love for her.

3. How did you approach writing your first book?
It was a secret refuge from a difficult and abusive childhood in a poverty stricken environment, attending a dreadful school that was no more than a slum, placing myself in an imaginary and idealized situation. Ashamed of what I actually was, I wrote about how I'd like to be, creating an alter ego - a character modeled on the heroes of the books I was virtually devouring at the time. The public library was my refuge- an escape from reality. At school I was a poor performer in arithmetic - brilliant only at English - actually winning a national essay writing competition.

4. Who or what influenced your writing?
A wide range of reading, drama - especially English, French and German poetic, poetic drama, musical poetry - particularly the Romantics and philosophy.

5. Why do you continue to write?
After four years of widowhood I still grieve - as much as ever over the loss of my wife. I don't know if it's excessively melodramatic to say that - for me - writing is an alternative to suicide. It is certainly an escape from depression and extreme inertia. I don't write in pursuit of fame or fortune. At the advanced age of eighty-one that would be absurd!

6. What do you hope to accomplish through your writing?
Self satisffaction.

7. What has been your experience as a published writer?
So far disappointment, due entirely to the answer to the next question.

8. How do you promote your book(s)?
I don't think I'm a good author - but I know I'm a dreadful salesman.

9. What advice would you like to share with other writers?
Try not to be put off by the amazing indifference of publishers and agents.

10. Any other comments you would like to add?
I am disappointed that - apart from my text books, which did make a lot of money - I have so far reached so few readers, but on the other hand, I find comfort in the fact those few have been lavish in their praise.


Thank you Dr. Shocket for your time and sharing some of your life with us.

Interviewer: Kaye Trout - April 2, 2006 - Copyright

Author: ALAN NEALE

Author: ALAN NEALE

Published books by the Author: Bricks & Torture

Publisher's website: www.authorsonline.co.uk

Books in Process: None at the moment.

Welcome, Alan.

Interview:

1. When and why did you begin writing?
According to my mother, probably at about 7 or 8 years old – and I suspect got rather more critical acclaim at the time!

2. What inspired you to write your first book?
A curious blend of frustration, a sense of unfulfilled potential – and a 24 carat opportunity with the house renovation.

3. How did you approach writing your first book?
Planning would suggest some grand strategy, which never happened, but having failed in the past to get various parties interested in my writing, I had decided that this time I would, and more particularly, could, do it. The discipline of a diary-based project was what was needed to kick start it, and keep it on course – quite a cathartic experience as it happened!

4. Who or what influenced your writing?
I don’t, or very rarely, read fiction. I much prefer autobiographies, travel writing or documentary type books. I will read mostly Bill Bryson and Clive James but also enjoy P J O’Rourke and Tony Hawks.

5. Why do you continue to write? At the moment, I don’t!

6. What do you hope to accomplish through your writing?
I am afraid it's rather selfish – it gives me a sense of satisfaction and achievement. There ain't too much in this world that I am good at, and while it would seem that not too many agree, I think my writing is at least passable! If others get some joy from it, then great!

7. What has been your experience as a published writer?
Not good (see the article below that I wrote for the Authors OnLine Website)

8. How do you promote your book(s)?
‘Publicity’ – I like the definition from my Collins Pocket Dictionary – ‘process or information used to arouse public attention’ – the thought of trying to arouse the public is both faintly seedy and laughably unlikely. However, it catches the nub of the matter – attracting attention.
If you are like me (and you have my sympathy if you are), the only way to promote your book and reap some reward and return from its publication, is to be a one man/woman/person publicity machine. But if you are like me, you won’t have a clue. Actually, that’s not true, and as so ably put in the guidance provided elsewhere on this website, you will have given at least a little thought to who might possibly be interested in your scribblings that have now been miraculously turned into a crisp, shiny new book. Having said all of this, just as my own book (‘Bricks & Torture’, bargain at £10.99, stonking read, available in all good bookshops and AuthorsOnline) struggles to be classified, there may not be an obvious market, in which case the old adage of all publicity being good publicity comes to the fore – in other words, anything, anyone, anyhow, anytime, anyplace, anywhere (just don’t start singing the old Martini jingle – it wont help!).

First off – you have to do something. Sitting waiting for telepathic signals to wend through the ether and miraculously plant themselves into peoples brains, such that they uncontrollably log on to Authorsonline or Amazon, or burst into the nearest bookshop demanding to purchase 20 copies, is about as likely as George Bush joining Greenpeace. People will only know if you tell them – so, go tell them! Friends, family, work colleagues, distant relatives, strange acquaintances, postmen, dustmen, journalists, producers, editors, politicians, MP’s, Prime Minister, God, Bernie Ecclestone (oops, sorry, duplication there). And how do you tell them? By every means possible, but beware, this is not for shrinking violets (or timid theresas, wimpy wills, nervous nancys – you get my drift).

The phone can be a wonderfully investigative tool, but be prepared to be passed around more people than a ball amongst the England Rugby backs (on a good day). Phone your local television stations, radio stations, newspapers, freesheets, village journals, - in fact any form of media possible. Still further, get out there and knock on some doors, or rather talk charmingly but persuasively (in person) to local bookshop owners and managers, you will be surprised at the positive response you get, but do get your script and approach right beforehand. Entering with a menacing wide-eyed look and blurting excitedly about how they must stock your book, and if they don’t the curse of a thousand Prescotts will be put upon them, will probably prompt a push of the panic button and a banning order. My tack? First, ask if the manager is available, and make sure you do this on a weekday – you don’t want the shelf filler who may lack the intellect necessary to make sound judgements, and if you go on a Saturday, chances are all the staff will be of this persuasion. Next, ask if they sell local books (I admit, this is a little cunning, as they may well think you want to buy rather than sell). Almost certainly, the answer will be yes, at which point, you produce your deviously hidden copy of your book and suggest (firmly, but politely) that they may want to stock it. This has worked in all cases, including, to my surprise, two sizeable branches of Ottakars.

Okay, so this gets you some sales to the bookshops, but how will people know that they are available to purchase? You have to spread the word through the media, and in these cases persistence pays. There is a fine line between being an amiable pest and being a real pain, but do not be put off by apparent barriers, real or imaginary. I have found that a combination of e-mails and phone calls can be quite productive, but be careful of the tack that you take. Local papers should be more than willing to feature your book and your story, but you are likely to have to hound them a little as well as being imaginative with the copy that you give them to attract attention –‘I have published a book, please feature it’, probably will not get them reaching for the phone frantically to bag the main story ahead of their bitter local rivals.
Radio on the other hand has been a reasonably rich, and varied, vein, but in doing so I have had to develop the perseverance and tenacity only generally associated with canines and skeletal parts. Find out who is the most likely lucky recipient of your persistence (a phone call or 10 should do it), and then don’t let go. Granted, you will have to modify your behaviour to make sure you are not classified as a deranged stalker, but you do need to hang in there. Through a variety of the above, I have managed to get myself interviewed (live) on two BBC local stations and one local commercial station, together with a taped phone interview on another (bizarre experience, not unlike talking to yourself with someone else in the room – not that I have ever done that of course). The strange thing was the quality of milieu as between at least part of the dear old Beeb and the commercial station. One was in a dog-eared architecturally challenged building in a rather grimy home counties town, while the other was in a bright and breezy converted milking parlour on a country estate. Still further while bright and breezy gave me a decent cup of coffee in a clean mug, for the alternative, I sipped a weak tea in a chipped mug that looked as if it might have been last cleaned in the time of William the Conqueror. I’m sorry, but Luton has a lot to answer for!

But this is to be ungracious, as the presenters (sorry, they cannot be classified as DJ’s, particularly as one station had not one single D to J) all took the time and trouble to consider my plea, and showed sufficient (and genuine) interest in myself and the book that they very kindly invited me on to tell their assembled audiences all about me and my literary meanderings. For this, I am eternally grateful, for, if nothing else, in the space of just over two weeks I had not only Andy Warhols promised 15 minutes of fame, but second, third and fourth helpings of the stuff. And without exception, they showed consideration and apparent curiosity which restored my faith in mans ability to be human and for once, unobsessed with the growing cult of celebrities. Unfortunately, I am not sure that my performance lived up their expectation, as it is one thing to be entertaining by the written word, but quite another to do so verbally when you are so nervous that you can hear the quiver in your own voice. Still, I achieved what I set out to do, even if I may not have done as well as I would have wanted, and I can tick the box of life experiences that has seen me interviewed live in a proper radio studio. God Bless them, indeed so much so that I will name them – John Pilgrim at BBC Three Counties (laid-back, affable, been there, seen it, done it and on at least his fourth T-Shirt to prove it), Mims Lovelock at Hertbeat FM (sparkling, intelligent, welcoming and plugged the book like she was on commission) and Steve Scruton at BBC Essex (engaging, encouraging and so helpful he probably deserved a big hug – don’t worry, I didnt)

There is of course one other mass medium which is increasingly inescapable, the all seeing eye of television. Interestingly, those in radio have a rather jaundiced view of TV, believing it is fundamentally tainted by its fixation with image and style, and that radio is the purer means of providing information. To be honest, they may be right, but I am unashamedly after publicity, and if any television station or programme wants to publicise and promote my efforts, at this almost amoeba state of my literary career, I would be happy to take anything that’s offered – 30 seconds on a local, local, spot on the mid-morning weekday news slot when the only viewers will be residents of nursing homes, geriatric dogs and those with an unhealthy fascination with third rate makeover programmes, will be just fine by me. However, thus far I have failed, but have had the pleasure of dealing with a peculiar breed who seem to sit on what the television stations call their ‘Newsdesk’. They are disarmingly cheerful, charming and genial, and suck you into believing that they are genuinely enthused by your story, which has the effect of taking all the sting out of your planned firm but polite approach, and most worryingly convinces you that, like that very attractive leggy blonde that you vainly chatted-up at someones 18th birthday party more years ago than you care to remember, they will ring you – honest! Needless to say, the phone doesn’t ring, and you feel slightly foolish and guilty when you ring them back. Trouble is that in this case, you simply go through the same cycle again. At this precise moment in time. I haven’t given up, but neither have I got a slap around the face yet, either actually, or metaphorically.

Finally, be prepared to think laterally about how you can spread the word. For me, this has included running ads in some very local journals (dirt cheap), putting up posters on notice boards wherever you can find room, pressing your work colleagues to buy copies of the book (but stop short of threatening violence), handing out publicity leaflets, stuffing them under car windscreen wipers in car parks, having a stall at a local village fair (rubbing shoulders with the WI and the best Jam in Hertfordshire, but commercially the least productive), e-mailing the editorial sections of some of the large newspapers in the US (astoundingly, I have sold quite a few copies in The States, but whether one of them is to Steven Speilberg I am still waiting to find out), and even printing T-shirts bearing the front cover (even I was surprised at the number of quizzical looks I got).

Remember, people can only say ‘no’ (or occasionally ‘NO!), so be brave, be bold, be imaginative, because its more than likely that these are the traits that got you determined to write and publish in the first place.

9. What advice would you like to share with other writers?
See above!

10. Any other comments you would like to add?
Thank you for taking the time and trouble to read my book, provide feedback, and open a forum of this nature – there are still some things in the world that give me hope!

Thank you, Alan, for taking the time, and as promotion is the primary obstacle for POD authors, a special thanks for sharing your article.

Interviewer: Kaye Trout - April 1, 2006 - Copyright